Interlocking culvert



Dec. 11, 1934. F. J. Moss INTERLOCKING CULVERT Filed Oct." 26, 1932 INVENTOR.

Frank 11. T1055 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 11, 1934 PATENT OFFICE 1,984,196 INTERLOCKING CULVERT Frank J. Moss, Kansas City, Mo.

Application October 26,

6 Claims.

This invention relates to culverts, and has for a primary object, the provision of such a structure wherein is embodied interlocking elements which combine with the parts of the culvert to create a homogeneous, self-securing, integral unit that may be assembled at the point of installation Without the use of special tools, clamps, fastening means, or like members.

Another important aim of the instant invention is the contemplation of a culvert that is created from a number of sections, each having formed thereby means for engaging an adjoining section, whereby the parts may be moved to position and secured against relative movement without the employment of nails, screws, bolts, or clamps of any character.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a culvert of the above-mentioned character having sections formed and relatively disposed in such fashion that the excessive stresses and strains imparted to the culvert when in use are distributed throughout the entire body in a manner tending to preclude collapsing during the entire life of the culvert.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a unique culvert that ispreferably constructed of treated wood or similar material, such treatment desirably being creosoting to preclude destructive action of the elements.

Minor objects of the invention, including specii'ic details of construction embodied in the pre ferred form will appear during the course of the following specification, referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein: I

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an interlocking, sectional culvert embodying the concepts of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical, central section through the same taken on line II-1I of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detailed sectional View through one corner of the culvert, and,

Fig. 4 is a similar view through a corner at the opposite end thereof.

While the culvert embodying this invention might be made in any suitable form, it is essential that the same be made of a number of interlocking sections that are arranged in a circumscribing body to present a conduit or passage through which may flow such drainage as is accommodated by the culvert. In the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the culvert has a plurality of sections arranged in a circumscribing body having a bottom 10, a top 12, and spaced apart sides 14. Bottom and top 10 and 12 re- 1932, Serial N0. 639,566 (01. 61-16) spectively are alike, and include a number of sections 16 which lie in planes transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the culvert body, or at right angles to the direction of flow of fluid passing through the culvert. The abutting, longitudinal edges 18 of sections 16 have interlocking elements formed thereon to permit relative longitudinal sliding movement as the culvert is being built, These interlocking elements are in the form of interengaging tongues and grooves 20 and 22, that are dovetail in cross section, as shown in Fig. 1.

Each section 16 of bottom and top 10 and 12 respectively has a transverse, dovetail groove 24 formed therein and all of said grooves 24 are in alignment which presents a continuous groove throughout the length of said bottom and top 10 and 12 adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof. Sidesl are identical in construction and likewise comprise a series of sections 26, each having a tongue 28 across the end thereof which enters groove 24, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2.

Sections 26 are positioned in edge-to-edge relation and the abutting longitudinal edges 30 thereof are in offset relation to the abutting longitudinal edges 18 of sections 16 forming bottom and top 10 and 12. Each section 26 is offset to present an upwardly facing shoulder 32 and a downwardly facing shoulder 34. There are two of each of such shoulders created on each section 26 and when such sections are moved to position, these shoulders of the abutting sections engage to receive forces which tend to relatively move the adjacent side-forming sections 26. Sections 36 of sides 14 at the ends thereof, have their outer edges terminating in the same plane as the outer edge of the last section 16 forming bottom and top 10 and 12. The tongues 38 of these sections 36 are cut away to receive dovetail-shaped tongues 40 carried by novel locking rails 42 which are moved to position at one endof the culvert.

Similar locking rails 44 serve the purpose of closing the end of longitudinal groove 24 opposite from that end closed by locking rail 42, and when parts are positioned to perform such closing function, relative movement of the many sections of the culvert is positively precluded. Pressure exerted upon top 12 of the culvert is not only evenly distributed throughout said top, but is transmitted to the many interlocking side-forming sections 26 as a result of their staggered relation with top sections 16 and also as a result of the interengagement of their shoulders 32 and 34. Obviously, such construction does not require nails, screws, bolts, tie rods, or any other securing elements than those which are formed by the sections themselves. A homogeneous, interlocking, self-securing culvert is produced and the same may be shipped in knocked down condition direct from mill to point of installation. At that point ordinary labor may be employed to set up the culvert in an exceptionally short time.

When the ditch has been prepared to receive the culvert, locking rail 44 at the bottom is first positioned, after it has been joined to bottom section 16 lying thereagainst. Another section 16 is next secured to the section 16 which has been previously associated with lowermost locking rail 44. At this time, tongue 38 of section 36 is caused to enter groove 24 and this section 36 is moved to the end of said groove where it engages locking rail 44. A side section 26 is next moved against the first placed section 36 and then two corresponding side sections 26 on the opposite side are moved to position. Previously joined locking rail id and the next two top sections 16 are then moved to place, after which opposed top and bottom sections 16 are successfully slid to position ahead of opposed side sections until the desired length is attained. This sequence of placing the sections always maintains top and bottom sections projected in front of side sections 26. When desired length is reached, side section 36 is placed and then locking rails 42 are positioned to complete the interlocking function.

As shown in Fig. 2, it is desirable to have top and bottom 12 and 10 respectively overhang sides 14 to some degree for the purpose of creating protecting shoulders 46.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A culvert of the character described comprising a longitudinally grooved top and bottom; a series of edge-to-edge sections fitted into said grooves to form sides; and a locking rail having means for slidably engaging a section to close each end respectively of said grooves.

2. A sectional, homogeneous culvert of selfbonding character comprising a top and bottom each consisting of a series of edge-toedge sections having dovetail interconnecting joints along their abutting edges; a series of edge-to-edge sections forming sides for said culvert and extending from top to bottom thereof; a continuous groove, dovetail in cross section, formed in the top and bottom adjacent each longitudinal edge respectively thereof to receive the ends of said sideforming sections; and a locking rail having means for slidably engaging a section associated with the top and bottom at each end respectively thereof, to close the ends of said continuous grooves.

3. A culvert of the character described comprising a sectional top and bottom; opposed longitudinal grooves formed in said top and bottom respectively adjacent the edges thereof; and a series of edge-to-edge sections fitted into said grooves to form sides, said sections of the top and bottom having interengaging tongues and grooves formed along the abutting longitudinal edges thereof, adjoining side-for1ning sections having transverse engaging shoulders intermediate the said top and bottom, said shoulders extending across the edges of said adjoining sections.

4. A culvert of the character described comprising a sectional top and bottom having dovetail joints formed by and slidably interconnecting the sections of said top and bottom along the abutting longitudinal edges thereof; an opposed, longitudinal groove, dovetail in cross section, formed along the inner side of the top and bottom adjacent each edge thereof; sectional sides associated with the said top and bottom each including a plurality of edge-to-edge sections having dovetail tongues along the ends thereof, said tongues being within said longitudinal grooves to preclude relative movement of the sections of said top and bottom; and a locking rail having means for slidably engaging a section positioned at each end of said top and bottom to preclude movement of said side sections along the said longitudinal groove.

5. A culvert of the character described comprising a sectional top and bottom having dovetail joints formed by and slidably interconnecting the sections of said top and bottom along the abutting longitudinal edges thereof; an opposed, longitudinal groove, dovetail in cross section, formed along the inner side of the top and bottom adjacent each edge thereof; sectional sides associated With the said top and bottom each including a plurality of edge-to-edge sections having dovetail tongues along the ends thereof, said tongues being Within said longitudinal grooves to preclude relative movement of the sections of said top and bottom; a locking rail having means for slidably engaging a section positioned at each end of said top and bottom to preclude movement of said side sections along the said longitudinal groove; and engaging shoulders, parallel to the top and bottom, formed on abutting edges of said side sections intermediate the ends thereof, the abutting longitudinal edges of the sections of the top and bottom being in offset relation to the abutting longitudinal edges of the sections of the sides.

6. A culvert of the character described comprising a sectional top and bottom having dovetail joints formed by and slidably interconnecting the sections of said top and bottom along the abutting longitudinal edges thereof; an opposed, longitudinal groove, dovetail in cross section, formed along the inner side of the top and bottom adjacent each edge thereof; sectional sides associated with the said top and bottom each including a plurality of edge-to-edge sections having dovetail tongues along the ends thereof, said tongues being within said longitudinal grooves to preclude relative movement of the sections of said top and bottom; a locking rail slidable to position at each end of said top and bottom to preclude movement of said side sections along the said longitudinal groove; and engaging shoulders, parallel to the top and bottom, formed on abutting edges of said side sections intermediate the ends thereof, the abutting longitudinal edges of the sections of the top and bottom being in offset relation to the abutting longitudinal edges of the sections of the sides, the sections of said top, bottom and sides, at the end of the culvert, having their outer edges in the same plane, said locking rails and said end sections of the top and bottom having dovetail joints formed thereby, the dovetail shaped tongue of the end sections of said sides being formed for engagement by the said locking rails as they engage the end sections of said top and bottom.

FRANK J. MOSS. 

